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By Ray Hickson

Consistent galloper Bundeena is no stranger to a wide barrier but trainer John Thompson feels he’s made the right moves with an apprentice claim and an additional trial to ensure he runs a big race first-up at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer John Thompson (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The five-year-old drew double figure marbles in four of his five starts last preparation but, as is the case in the Midway Handicap (1100m), they’ve been largely offset by the layout of the track.

That’s in his favour again at Randwick and Thompson revealed since his official trial on December 9 he’s contested a 1000m course proper jump out to top his fitness off.

“He’s had an official trial and then he had a jump out which has got him ready to go,’’ Thompson said.

“It’s a bit unfortunate he’s drawn so wide but the 1100m start is a straight run to the home corner so it doesn’t matter as much and he’s an on pace horse so he should be okay.”

Apprentice Ben Osmond takes 3kg off Bundeena, $3.30 with TAB on Thursday, who was allocated 61.5kg.

Thompson said the gelding is the type of horse that will give any jockey a relatively smooth ride and feels Osmond will suit him.

“With that weight I had to claim and he’s a heavyweight apprentice too so there won’t be too much dead weight,’’ he said.

“He’s a pretty easy horse to ride. It’s pretty simple, a positive jump and then just cuddle him and he’ll put himself into the race and just cruise along.

“He likes being in that comfort zone and he’s probably an easy horse for an apprentice.”

Bundeena had a run of outs stretching some 16 months prior to his breakthrough win second-up last preparation and Thompson said it was pleasing to see him return to form.

He overcame barrier 12 to win an 1100m Midway at Randwick on August 10 and two weeks later was run down by Well Timed, again off an outside gate, in a 1200m Midway carrying 60.5kg.

“He had a knee that was annoying him and it had a chip in it,’’ he said.

“We bit the bullet and got the chip taken out and he came back and had that good last preparation.

“I think he will improve with the run because he’s a big horse but he runs well fresh and Saturday should be no different.”

Stablemate With Your Blessing was the winner of that 1000m jump out, just getting the better of Bundeena, and Thompson is quietly confident he can return to his best this time in.

The six-year-old went off the boil after a first-up placing in July and the trainer said signs are positive that he can run well in the Inglis Classic Sale 9-11 Feb Out Now Handicap (1100m).

“He had an unusual preparation and we couldn’t put our finger on it,’’ he said.

“So we spelled him and he seems back in good order so hopefully he can get back to his consistent self.”

Meanwhile, Thompson hopes Zounaka can notch a maiden win in the Kembla Grange Classic March 14 Plate (1000m) at Kembla on Saturday.

The filly has only had the four starts and was rested after chasing home Spirit Of Wealth in a maiden at Newcastle in late August.

Bundeena's trial at Randwick on December 9

Thompson said she’s also had that second unofficial hitout.

“She’s a good chance, she trialled well and again she’s had a jump out for her second trial,’’ he said.

“I thought she could win at her last run last time in but she ran into that good filly of Michael Freedman’s. She seems to have come back a little bit better.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting